Don’t Get the Flu, Don’t Give the Flu!

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contacts: Forrest Smith, Mesa Fire/Medical Dept. PIO: 480-644-5175
Jeanene Fowler, Maricopa County Public Health: 602-722-1806
Karin Szymanski , The Arizona Partnership for Immunization: 919-917-8080

Don’t Get the Flu, Don’t Give the Flu!
Residents urged to get vaccinated early in season for best protection

MESA/PHOENIX (Oct. 6, 2017)– Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) will join Mesa Fire Department and The Arizona Partnership for Immunization on Monday, Oct. 9^th, to bring awareness to the importance of flu vaccination in protecting yourself and others, especially those at most risk of complications from illness. Federal health officials recently estimated that flu has killed between 12,000 and 56,000 people each year since 2010.
Lisa Rasmussen, former head of the Arizona Department of Health Services immunization registry program, will share her personal story of losing her husband, Paul, to a severe case of flu last year. Sadly, Paul was unvaccinated. He retired from the Mesa Police Department in 2005, after serving 25 years. In support of Lisa, and in an effort to boost general awareness among its employees as well as residents about the importance of flu protection, City leadership will be encouraging citywide vaccination. This includes offering free flu shots for anyone 6 months and older at upcoming clinics administered by Mesa Fire. MCDPH also offers free flu shots for children at its three Valley clinics and will be offering free flu shots for eligible adults in the coming weeks (see further clinic details at the end of this advisory). Flu shot clinics also can be located by visiting StoptheSpreadAz.org.
Early indications show this year’s vaccine to be a good match to the strains circulating. Receiving a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. It takes about two weeks to build immunity after receiving the shot, so the earlier you get it, the better.

WHO:        

Vice Mayor David Luna,City of Mesa
Tommy Sanfilippo, Mesa Fire/Medical Immunizations Coordinator
Larissa Dvorak, Mesa Fire/Medical Assistant Immunizations Coordinator
Lisa Rasmussen, private citizen
Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health
Debbie McCune Davis, The Arizona Partnership for Immunization

WHAT:         Don’t Get the Flu, Don’t Give the Flu! Awareness Event. Health officials will provide a brief overview of the 2017-18 flu season, vaccine availability, and address health  implications from the flu; Ms. Rasmussen will share her personal account of her unvaccinated husband’s death due to flu; City officials will discuss efforts to encourage citywide flu vaccination. Mesa Fire will be on hand to provide flu shots at the event.

WHEN:      Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:     Mesa Fire Station 203
324 S. Alma School Rd. Mesa AZ 85210

Mesa Fire Department Flu Shot Clinics
Anyone 6 months and older, regardless of insurance status, can receive a free flu shot at the following clinics:

• Vaccine for Children’s clinic from 5-7pm Wednesday, October 11th at Superstition Springs Center located at 6555 E. Southern Ave, Mesa AZ 85206. The clinic will be on the second level of the mall, next to the Book Vault. These clinics are held on the second Wednesday of every month, except December, and are typically for childhood immunizations for uninsured/underinsured children. This month, Mesa Fire will also be providing free flu shots to anyone 6 months and older regardless of insurance status.
• Henderson Hughes Health Fair on Saturday October 14th at 101 W. Main St. Mesa AZ 85201 from 10:00a-2:00p. Anyone 6 months and up is welcome to get a free flu shot.

Maricopa County Public Health Flu Shot Clinics
Free flu shots for children 6 months to 18 years of age at all three Valley clinics. Please call ahead to ensure vaccine is available.

Free flu shots will be available to uninsured/underinsured Adults at the Central-Roosevelt location only on the following dates from 8am to 4PM (closed for lunch 11:30-noon). Supply is limited so please call ahead to ensure availability.

October 18, 23, 30

November 1, 3, 8, 13, 15

Flu shot clinics statewide can be located by visiting StoptheSpreadAz.org.

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